Because the best way to use energy is producing just as much as we need.
Within the paper industry energy (in any form) accounts for approximately 15% of the total production costs. Consequently, the energy needed should not only be used as efficiently as possible but also be generated as efficiently as possible.
The installation of an inlet bleed heating system enabled us to turn down the gas turbine to our actual needs resulting in a reduction in our gas consumption.
Within Maastricht mill a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant generates both heat as well as electrical power. Heat of the gas turbine is used to generate steam, which is used within the paper production process (direct or indirect via steam turbine). Normally, the heat or steam generated should be in balance with the steam required in the mill. However, over the last decade several projects resulted in a strong reduction of the heat demand. As gas turbines are normally designed to run at base or limited partial load too much heat was generated, which could not be effectively utilized. By the installation of an inlet bleed heating system it is possible to further turn down the gas turbine to the actual needs resulting in a reduction in our gas consumption, meaning a significant gas and thus CO2 saving.
We make Sappi eco-effective. How about you?
Bram Goorts and Peter Pijpers, Energy and T&E Division, Maastricht Mill.
